Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme - Are You Ready?
PLEASE NOTE: In January 2019 the maximum amount claimed for a business voucher was reduced from £3,000 to £2,500 to make sure that the scheme reaches even more people with full fibre connectivity.
Full fibre broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available, and the government is committed to a vision of a full fibre Britain. As part of this commitment in March 2018, a £67 million Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme was announced.
Gigabit vouchers can be used by small and medium-sized businesses and the local communities surrounding them to contribute to the installation cost of a gigabit-capable connection.
Businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of connection either individually or as part of a group project. Residents can benefit from the scheme as part of a group project which also includes businesses, and can claim for a voucher of up to a value of £500.
One gigabit is the same as 1,000 megabits – so it’s a big leap forward in connection speeds that could benefit you and your business into the future.
What does gigabit mean for your business?
- Faster internet access for increased productivity
- Download speeds starting from 100 Mbit/s
- Unlimited data usage
- Installation free of charge (worth up to £3,000 via the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
How does the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme work?
- Check the eligibility of your business (see below)
- Contact VoiceHost
- VoiceHost will then submit your application on your behalf.
- Your local council will review and approve your voucher
- VoiceHost will then deliver your connection and manage completion through the Scheme portal
- Your local council will carry out final checks
- You just then need to pay the VAT on the connection and the monthly charges for your new, ultrafast, gigabit-capable connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my business apply for the voucher?
The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is for small and medium-sized businesses across the UK. More information about the formal definition of an SME can be found here.
SME Definition:
- Has up to 249 Employees
- A balance sheet of less than €43 million or a turnover of less than €50 million
- You must not have received more than the permitted amount of de minimis aid in the last 3 years. There’s more guidance on this on the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme website.
Other Important Information
Vouchers help support the capital costs of delivering a new gigabit capable connection to your business premises.
If you already have a gigabit capable connection you are not eligible for a voucher.
Your new connection must have a minimum speed of 100 Mbit/s and represent at least a doubling of speed compared to the service you have now.
When does the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme start?
The Gigabit Voucher Scheme launched 27 March 2018 and is the next step in improving businesses' access to higher quality broadband.
The DCMS will stop issuing vouchers when all available funding has been allocated or by March 2021 – whichever is sooner.
How much can my business receive through the scheme?
Business vouchers are worth between £500 and £3,000.
If your new connection costs less than £500, you will not be able to claim a voucher.
If the cost of providing a connection is more than £3,000 then you can “top up”. DCMS cannot pay any VAT or monthly charges.
Other conditions apply – see the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme website for full details.
